2. Background
Born in 1608
He was born in Dehu, very close
Pune city in Maharashtra
Was a 17th century Marathi poet
saint
Referred to as "Tuka"
Left the body in 1650
3. Tukaram’s Dream
He says he was initiated in a dream
by Raghava Caitanya Kesava
Caitanya
Saint Tukaram confirms this claim
in a verse that clearly states that
“the mantra “Jai Jai Ram Krishna
Hari” was given to me by
“Chaitanya Baba” in my dreams”
4. Devotion of Tukaram
Since initiation,
Tukaram developed
great devotion
Due to intense
devotion to Lord Vital
Nath, he composed so
many kirtans
The famous temple of
Lord Vitan Nath is in
Pandari Pura, near
Pune
5. Tukaram’s Teachings
Tukaram wrote in a special verse form called the abhanga, a
run on couplet with three and a half lines with the first
three rhyming
As was the tradition, he also added his signature, Tuka
Mhane or “Tuka Says”, at the end of each verse
In one of his abhanga, Saint Tukaram says " Mazya
Vithobacha kaisa prembhav aapanachi dev hoy Guru "
which means My Lord Vithal is so loving He becomes my
own Guru
"Jive daya name ruchi vaishnava seva" is the basic of Lord
Chaitanya's teachings which we see preached by Saint
Tukaram in his abhangas
6. King Shivaji
• King Shivaji was
one of his well
known disciples
• Shivaji was the
one fighting for
Hindu Dharma
against Muslims
7. Aurangazeb tried to kill Shivaji
• Aurangazeb planned
and invaded the temple
to catch Shivaji
• Due to Tukaram’s
devotion, the army
ended up in killing
their own people
8. How Tukaram left this world?
• A celestial aeroplane came
from Vaikuntha
• Tukkaram abhoded and
vanished
• Many devotees witnessed
this astonishing event
• So he does not have any
samadhi
9. One of his abhangs..
• This is one of his
abhangs.
• They mostly have
Rama, Krishna and
Hare – the same words
in the Maha Mantra.
Rama Krishna Hare
10. In this kali Yuga, chanting maha mantra is
the surest way to reach Lord Hari..
Harer nāma harer nāma
Harer nāmaiva kevalam
Kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
Nāsty eva gatir anyathā
[ For deliverance in this Kali Yuga, there is no other way,
there is no other way, there is no other way except
chanting the holy names of the Lord.]
12. Quiz Time
In which year saint Tukkaram was born?
What is the name of his famous songs
collectively called?
In which year did he leave his material body?
In which place near Pune (Maharashtra) was
he born?
Who initiated Saint Tukkaram in his dream?
What are the main 3 words in his kirtans?
Om anjana timirandasya kyana anjana salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmayshri gurave namaha
Hare Krishna, my name is Janvi Nandwani, and today I am going to talk about Saint Tukaram.
Here is the background of Tukaram’s life. He was born in 1608. He was born in Dehu, very close to modern Pune city Maharashtra. Tukaram was a 17th century Marathi poet, and was also referred to as “Tuka”. He left his body in 1650.
Tukaram says that he was initiated in a dream by Raghava Caitanaya Kesava Caitanya . Saint Tukaram confirms this claim in a verse that clearly states that “the mantra “Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari” was given to me by “Caithanya Baba” in my dreams”.
Since initiation, Tukaram developed great devotion
Due to intense devotion to Lord Vital Nath, he composed so many kirtans
The famous temple of Lord Vitan Nath is in Pandari Pura, near Pune
Tukaram had many teachings. Tukaram wrote in a special verse form called the abhanga, a run on couplet with three and a half lines with first three rhyming. As was the tradition , he also added his signature, Tuka Mhane or “Tuka Says” at the end of each verse. In one of his abhanga, Saint Tukaram says “Mazya Vithobacha kaisa prembhav aapanachi dev hoy Guru” which means My Lord Vithal is so loving, he becomes my own Guru. "Jive daya name ruchi vaishnava seva " is the basic of Lord Caitanya’s teaching which we see preached by Saint Tukaram in his abangas.
King Shivaji was one of his famous disciples. King Shivaji was the one who furiously fought against the Muslims who were destroying Hindu temples, priest and innocent Hindus.
Once Aurangazeb, the moghul emperor at that time wanted to catch King Shivaji and kill him. When he learned that King Shivaji was inside the temple of Vital Nath, the army entered the temple. But due to the devotion of Tukaram and the mercy of Lord Vital Nath, the Lord made illusion to the army that their own people looked like King Shivaji and thus they were killing each other instead. At the end whoever remained fled away in fear. !
Saint Tukkaram was not like orninary persons. As he was constantly singing and glorifying Lord Hari, his body itself turned spiritual. When the day came for his departure, a bright mysterious aeroplane came from the sky and Tukkaram entered in it and vanished. Many people had witnessed this event.
This is one of his abhangs. They have Rama, Krishna and Hare – the same words in the Maha Mantra.
This is what Saint Tukkaram was teaching every one. His innumerable abhangs glorifying Lord’s names and pastimes are the proofs for this.
